Bronco

What is this is commonly climbed peak in the Rockies?

Looks like E. Wilmans Spire. The rock is not too bad on the spire but the approach gully is pretty loose. Recomend early season so there's snow in the gully.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=2&subAreaID=&query=climbing&catAbbreviation=sss pair of skis and fritschi's for $150

Sounds like a common conundrum, you just need two sets of skis and bindings, one for BC and one for shredding the resorts. I'd bet you can find a decent used set of skis and bindings for $250 each.

I ended up getting the Scott Sub 20 at Bothell Ski and Sport for $499. I have about 100 commuter miles on it and really like it for the money. I'm a little dissapointed the top gear does not seem significantly faster (if at all) than my old mtn bike, according to my GPS the top speed on the Scott is only 29mph and I was able to hit 26mph on my mtn bike. Any ideas on if I can replace the big chain ring on the crank with a bigger one? Disk brakes are definetly the way to go for wet steep hills. The ride is definetly stiff (aluminum frame) but not unbearable and I appreciate the weight saving for climbing.

Looks good to me. I've used lexan, carbon fiber, snow claws and a few variations of aluminum. If I need to move much snow, like for a tent platform or snow cave, the larger aluminum blades with "D" handles work the best.

"Liberty Ridge is a great route, a climbing ranger began, but it’s not in great shape. He warned us that almost a foot of snow had fallen in the last week and that possible storms were forecast for the next week." Something to be learned here is to avoid climbing committing routes on big mountains when the climbing ranger flat out says the route's out of shape, there's a bunch of new snow on the mountain and the weather forecast is unstable.

I think late June is typically getting toward the end of LR's season. I know crossing the schrund at the top of the route became much more difficult in the two weeks after we climbed it in early June '03. I seem to recall reading about somebody aiding up an overhanging wall on ice screws to reach Liberty Cap.

Great video, appreciate the Hank Jr.!

5'8" - 175lb - 102/72/92 178cm I agree that in the dense Pacific snowpack, a shorter ski is sufficient. Now that I think about it, I should have hung onto my wife's 163's and sold my 178's.

tattered red lined Carhart with a pocket full of empty .45 shells and GU packets?

I agree climbing is one of the best methods to train your mind but the intent of this thread seems to be geared toward those without opportunity to participate in training climbs. Go for a long bike ride or trail run in incremental weather. If you can find a tractor tire and convince someone to spray you with cold water from the hose while you do tire flips, that would also be good preparation. I remember seeing an article about a fanatic setting up a stair stepper in a vacant shower stall for the same purpose. In the absence of climbing opportunity, find a tough excercise and find ways to make them mentally degrading once in a while.

How about rowing machines? Is that considered an eccentric action? When I've climbed volcanoes with newbies, the cardio goal was to run 8 miles (hilly if you can find them) in an hour or less plus taking some good long day hikes with heavy packs on. Weighted squats and deadlifts would be good strenght training preparation. How about mental fitness? While watching some of the documentary "Summit on the Summit", I recalled how much of a surprise it can be to newbies that a significant portion of the experience is suffering with wet gear, cold hands and toes, fatigue, physical pain, self doubt, fear of failure etc. Good partners (or guides) will help overcome some of these issues but in the end it may come down to confidence in your preparation and mental toughness.

Synthetic will treat you the best, I think you'll probably be wet from crawling around crevases and such. Sounds like fun!

Seems like a question for the AAJ editorial staff, not a bunch of interweb ninjas.

I thought this thread would be about someone's tool popping and leaving a bruise on their face. Oh well.

Yes please

did you see this at montanaice.com? http://montanaice.com/node/1247

Are there any local ski mountianeering competitions in Washington? I'm not finding anything through normal "research" (googleling). It seems like there were some going on over the last few years.??? Thanks -

Hi Gene: Do you have any trees to hang a thick rope for climbing? The other option is to just attach it to your tire sled and pull it accross your yard. Dunlap Supply on the Everett waterfront will give you old 2" - 3" rope if you ask.

I've been experimenting with backpacks and rackpacks/panniers. There are several advantages to each but I trend to the old school and typically use a pannier when I'm on the road and need to lug gear. However, I have sensed that I'm a bit faster with my little backpack and no pannier.

This one is on my list to test ride: http://www.rei.com/product/797378

Drop bars vs flat? I really like the disk brakes, is there a big difference between the hydrollic and mechanical? My MTN bike rim brakes suck bad in the wet. I have little interest in a used bike, I honestly don't know much about fixing or adjusting and would prefer a new bike I shouldn't need to worry about or can take back to the shop for that stuff. It's just transportation to me, just ride and park with little hassle as possible.

I've not put slicks on my MTN bike because I thought I'd get a commuter/road specific bike and save the $65 bucks. I'll ride some bikes this weekend, there's a few good shops here in Everett. I'm thinking I can pick something up for $600. Thanks -

I'm on the hunt for a commuter bike. I've been riding my MTN bike 4 miles each way a few times per week since early Nov. but my commute is about to grow to 8 hilly miles each way, Mukilteo to Downtown Everett along Mukilteo Blvd. I estimate this will take me 45 minutes on my MTN bike. I want to shave some time off the commute. I'm not a speed demon and not planning to do any long distance rides so I figured a hybrid would be the way to go for me but considering the significant investment involved, I don't want to buy a hybrid only to reallize a month down the road I should have gotten something else. Any advice?